Who We Are

Esperanza de Guatemala's
Mission,Vision and Core Values

Our MISSION
Esperanza de Guatemala works to create life-changing opportunities in rural Guatemalan communities

Our VISION

We envision a future in rural Guatemala communities where every person has better access to education, economic opportunity, and a healthy life.

Our CORE VALUES

Esperanza de Guatemala’s partnership with the people of Guatemala is guided by the following values:

Respect. We respect the culture and customs of the people we serve to preserve their humanity and dignity.
Collaboration. We work together collaboratively, respecting each other’s voices and ideas.
Unity. We believe more is accomplished together. We learn from each other and as we learn together, we adapt our work for the greater good.
Trust. We work to build trust because we believe that communities are transformed when there is trust. This helps to build and maintain resilience and success.
Humility. We serve with humility.
Opportunity. We embrace the journey ahead of us and see it for the many opportunities it presents.

The Board of Directors

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The Esperanza Board meets monthly as well as in special work sessions to discuss, plan and execute our work. As a governing body, we not only focus on the organization’s mission, strategy and goals, but we are engaged with all aspects of our work.

We are skilled educators, physicians, nurses, photographers, accountants, social workers, and the list goes on… who freely share our knowledge to inform not only what we do but how we work.

President, Medora Hix

Medora is a Certified Christian Educator who worked in education and mission development. She has held leadership roles in several nonprofit organizations and retired to manage Esperanza de Guatemala.

Secretary, Cathy Williams

Cathy spent 30 years in education as a teacher, assistant principal and principal. She continues to work part time for North Carolina State University in Principal Preparation. She enjoys reading, quilting, and supporting the work of Esperanza de Guatemala.

Director John Hansen

John is a photojournalist who worked at newspapers in Missouri, Taiwan, Florida and North Carolina. He currently freelances specializing in the arts and drone photography.

Director, Jeanne Bolick

Jeanne is a retired Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has worked in the area of Child and Family Welfare and as a mental health therapist.

Director, Ana Cecilia Sanders

Ana Cecilia Sanders was born in and resides in Guatemala. An English and Spanish interpreter, she has worked with mission groups and NGOs since a very young age. Now as part of Esperanza de Guatemala, she supports Esperanza's work to help with education, health care, and women's empowerment.

Vice-President, Dr. James Tompkins

Jim is a retired Pediatrician, having served on a Navajo reservation in Arizona, and private practices in rural and suburban Virginia.

Treasurer, Rhonda Carlile

Rhonda, an accountant now retired, worked in budget and finance for forty plus years. She has volunteered at several nonprofit organizations as well as having served in leadership positions with some of those organizations.

Director Josetta McLaughlin

Josetta McLaughlin is a retired university educator whose teaching focused on business strategy and corporate social responsibility and sustainability. Her research initiatives range from business ethics and data integrity to poverty alleviation. She has served on boards and worked with initiatives on behalf of a diverse array of nonprofit organizations.